Devices and method for enrichment and alteration of cells and other particles

ABSTRACT

The invention features devices and methods for the deterministic separation of particles. Exemplary methods include the enrichment of a sample in a desired particle or the alteration of a desired particle in the device. The devices and methods are advantageously employed to enrich for rare cells, e.g., fetal cells, present in a sample, e.g., maternal blood and rare cell components, e.g., fetal cell nuclei. The invention further provides a method for preferentially lysing cells of interest in a sample, e.g., to extract clinical information from a cellular component, e.g., a nucleus, of the cells of interest. In general, the method employs differential lysis between the cells of interest and other cells (e.g., other nucleated cells) in the sample.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/449,149, filed on Jun. 8, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,021,614), which application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2006/012820, filed on Apr. 5, 2006, which further claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/668,415, filed on Apr. 5, 2005, and 60/704,067, filed on Jul. 29, 2005. All of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the fields of cell separation and fluidic devices.

Clinically or environmentally relevant information may often be present in a sample, but in quantities too low to detect. Thus, various enrichment or amplification methods are often employed in order to increase the detectability of such information.

For cells, different flow cytometry and cell sorting methods are available, but these techniques typically employ large and expensive pieces of equipment, which require large volumes of sample and skilled operators. These cytometers and sorters use methods like electrostatic deflection, centrifugation, fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), and magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) to achieve cell separation. These methods often suffer from the inability to enrich a sample sufficiently to allow analysis of rare components of the sample. Furthermore, such techniques may result in unacceptable losses of such rare components, e.g., through inefficient separation or degradation of the components.

Thus, there is a need for new devices and methods for enriching samples.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the invention features devices that contain one or more structures that deterministically deflect particles, in a fluid, having a hydrodynamic size above a critical size in a direction not parallel to the average direction of flow of the fluid in the structure. An exemplary structure includes an array of obstacles that form a network of gaps, wherein a fluid passing through the gaps is divided unequally into a major flux and a minor flux so that the average direction of the major flux is not parallel to the average direction of fluidic flow in the channel, and the major flux from the first outer region is directed either toward the second outer region or away from the second outer region, wherein the particles are directed into the major flux. The array of obstacles preferably includes first and second rows displaced laterally relative to one another so that fluid passing through a gap in the first row is divided unequally into two gaps in the second row. Such structures may be arranged in series in a single channel, in parallel in the same channel, e.g., a duplex configuration, in parallel in multiple channels in a device, or combinations thereof. Each channel will have at least one inlet and at least one outlet. A single inlet and outlet may be employed for two or more structures in parallel, in the same or different channels. Alternatively, each structure may have its own inlet and outlet or a single structure may contain multiple inlets and outlets, e.g., to introduce or collect two different fluids simultaneously.

The invention further features methods of enriching and altering samples employing a device of the invention.

In preferred embodiments, the devices of the invention include microfluidic channels. In other preferred embodiments, the devices of the invention are configured to separate blood components, e.g., red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets from whole blood, rare cells such as nucleated red blood cells from maternal blood, and stem cells, pathogenic or parasitic organisms, or host or graft immune cells from blood. The methods may also be employed to separate all blood cells, or portions thereof, from plasma, or all particles in a sample such as cellular components or intracellular parasites, or subsets thereof, from the suspending fluid. Other particles that may be separated in devices of the invention are described herein.

The invention further provides methods for preferentially lysing cells of interest in a sample, e.g., to extract clinical information from a cellular component, e.g., a nucleus or nucleic acid, of the cells of interest, e.g., nucleated fetal red blood cells. In general, the method employs differential lysis between the cells of interest and other cells (e.g., other nucleated cells) in the sample. In certain embodiments, preferential lysis results in lysis of at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99% of cells of interest, e.g., red blood cells or fetal nucleated red blood cells, and lysis of less than 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or 1% of undesired cells, e.g. maternal white blood cells or maternal nucleated red blood cells.

By “gap” is meant an opening through which fluids and/or particles may flow. For example, a gap may be a capillary, a space between two obstacles wherein fluids may flow, or a hydrophilic pattern on an otherwise hydrophobic surface wherein aqueous fluids are confined. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the network of gaps is defined by an array of obstacles. In this embodiment, the gaps are the spaces between adjacent obstacles. In a preferred embodiment, the network of gaps is constructed with an array of obstacles on the surface of a substrate.

By “obstacle” is meant an impediment to flow in a channel, e.g., a protrusion from one surface. For example, an obstacle may refer to a post outstanding on a base substrate or a hydrophobic barrier for aqueous fluids. In some embodiments, the obstacle may be partially permeable. For example, an obstacle may be a post made of porous material, wherein the pores allow penetration of an aqueous component but are too small for the particles being separated to enter.

By “hydrodynamic size” is meant the effective size of a particle when interacting with a flow, posts, and other particles. It is used as a general term for particle volume, shape, and deformability in the flow.

By “flow-extracting boundary” is meant a boundary designed to remove fluid from an array.

By “flow-feeding boundary” is meant a boundary designed to add fluid to an array.

By “swelling reagent” is meant a reagent that increases the hydrodynamic radius of a particle. Swelling reagents may act by increasing the volume, reducing the deformability, or changing the shape of a particle.

By “shrinking reagent” is meant a reagent that decreases the hydrodynamic radius of a particle. Shrinking reagents may act by decreasing the volume, increasing the deformability, or changing the shape of a particle.

By “labeling reagent” is meant a reagent that is capable of binding to or otherwise being localized with a particle and being detected, e.g., through shape, morphology, color, fluorescence, luminescence, phosphorescence, absorbance, magnetic properties, or radioactive emission.

By “channel” is meant a gap through which fluid may flow. A channel may be a capillary, a conduit, or a strip of hydrophilic pattern on an otherwise hydrophobic surface wherein aqueous fluids are confined.

By “microfluidic” is meant having at least one dimension of less than 1 mm.

By “enriched sample” is meant a sample containing cells or other particles that has been processed to increase the relative population of cells or particles of interest relative to other components typically present in a sample. For example, samples may be enriched by increasing the relative population of particles of interest by at least 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% or by a factor of at least 1000, 10,000, 100,000, or 1,000,000.

By “intracellular activation” is meant activation of second messenger pathways, leading to transcription factor activation, or activation of kinases or other metabolic pathways. Intracellular activation through modulation of external cell membrane antigens can also lead to changes in receptor trafficking.

By “cellular sample” is meant a sample containing cells or components thereof. Such samples include naturally occurring fluids (e.g., blood, lymph, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, cervical lavage, and water samples) and fluids into which cells have been introduced (e.g., culture media, and liquefied tissue samples). The term also includes a lysate.

By “biological sample” is meant any same of biological origin or containing, or potentially containing, biological particles. Preferred biological samples are cellular samples.

By “biological particle” is meant any species of biological origin that is insoluble in aqueous media. Examples include cells, particulate cell components, viruses, and complexes including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates.

By “component” of a cell (or “cellular component”) is meant any component of a cell that may be at least partially isolated upon lysis of the cell. Cellular components may be organelles (e.g., nuclei, peri-nuclear compartments, nuclear membranes, mitochondria, chloroplasts, or cell membranes), polymers or molecular complexes (e.g., lipids, polysaccharides, proteins (membrane, trans-membrane, or cytosolic), nucleic acids (native, therapeutic, or pathogenic), viral particles, or ribosomes), intracellular parasites or pathogens, or other molecules (e.g., hormones, ions, cofactors, or drugs).

By “blood component” is meant any component of whole blood, including host red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Blood components also include the components of plasma, e.g., proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, and any other cells that may be present in blood, e.g., because of current or past pregnancy, organ transplant, or infection.

By “counterpart” is meant a cellular component, which although different at the detail level (e.g., sequence) is of the same class. Examples are nuclei, mitochondria, mRNA, and ribosomes from different cell types, e.g., fetal red blood cells and maternal white blood cells.

By “preferential lysis” is meant lysing a cell of interest to a greater extent than undesired cells on the time scale of the lysis. Undesired cells typically contain the same cellular component found in the cells of interest or a counterpart thereof or cellular components that damage the contents of cells of interest. Preferential lysis may result in lysis of at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99% of cells of interest, e.g., while lysing less than 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or 1% of undesired cells. Preferential lysis may also result in a ratio of lysis of cells of interest to undesired cells.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1E are schematic depictions of an array that separated cells based on deterministic lateral displacement: (A) illustrates the lateral displacement of subsequent rows; (B) illustrates how fluid flowing through a gap is divide unequally around obstacles in subsequent rows; (C) illustrates how a particle with a hydrodynamic size above the critical size is displaced laterally in the device; (D) illustrates an array of cylindrical obstacles; and (E) illustrates an array of elliptical obstacles.

FIG. 2 is a schematic description illustrating the unequal division of the flux through a gap around obstacles in subsequent rows.

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of how the critical size depends on the flow profile, which is parabolic in this example.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of how shape affects the movement of particles through a device.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of how deformability affects the movement of particles through a device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic depiction of deterministic lateral displacement. Particles having a hydrodynamic size above the critical size move to the edge of the array, while particles having a hydrodynamic size below the critical size pass through the device without lateral displacement.

FIG. 7 is a schematic depiction of a three-stage device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic depiction of the maximum size and cut-off size (i.e., critical size) for the device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic depiction of a bypass channel.

FIG. 10 is a schematic depiction of a bypass channel.

FIG. 11 is a schematic depiction of a three-stage device having a common bypass channel.

FIG. 12 is a schematic depiction of a three-stage, duplex device having a common bypass channel.

FIG. 13 is a schematic depiction of a three-stage device having a common bypass channel, where the flow through the device is substantially constant.

FIG. 14 is a schematic depiction of a three-stage, duplex device having a common bypass channel, where the flow through the device is substantially constant.

FIG. 15 is a schematic depiction of a three-stage device having a common bypass channel, where the fluidic resistance in the bypass channel and the adjacent stage are substantially constant.

FIG. 16 is a schematic depiction of a three-stage, duplex device having a common bypass channel, where the fluidic resistance in the bypass channel and the adjacent stage are substantially constant.

FIG. 17 is a schematic depiction of a three-stage device having two, separate bypass channels.

FIG. 18 is a schematic depiction of a three-stage device having two, separate bypass channels, which are in arbitrary configuration.

FIG. 19 is a schematic depiction of a three-stage, duplex device having three, separate bypass channels.

FIG. 20 is a schematic depiction of a three-stage device having two, separate bypass channels, wherein the flow through each stage is substantially constant.

FIG. 21 is a schematic depiction of a three-stage, duplex device having three, separate bypass channels, wherein the flow through each stage is substantially constant.

FIG. 22 is a schematic depiction of a flow-extracting boundary.

FIG. 23 is a schematic depiction of a flow-feeding boundary.

FIG. 24 is a schematic depiction of a flow-feeding boundary, including a bypass channel.

FIG. 25 is a schematic depiction of two flow-feeding boundaries flanking a central bypass channel.

FIG. 26 is a schematic depiction of a device having four channels that act as on-chip flow resistors.

FIGS. 27 and 28 are schematic depictions of the effect of on-chip resistors on the relative width of two fluids flowing in a device.

FIG. 29 is a schematic depiction of a duplex device having a common inlet for the two outer regions.

FIG. 30A is a schematic depiction of a multiple arrays on a device. FIG. 30B is a schematic depiction of multiple arrays with common inlets and product outlets on a device.

FIG. 31 is a schematic depiction of a multi-stage device with a small footprint.

FIG. 32 is a schematic depiction of blood passing through a device.

FIG. 33 is a graph illustrating the hydrodynamic size distribution of blood cells.

FIGS. 34A-34D are schematic depictions of moving a particle from a sample to a buffer in a single stage (A), three-stage (B), duplex (C), or three-stage duplex (D) device.

FIG. 35A is a schematic depiction of a two-stage device employed to move a particle from blood to a buffer to produce three products. FIG. 35B is a schematic graph of the maximum size and cut off size of the two stages.

FIG. 35C is a schematic graph of the composition of the three products.

FIG. 36 is a schematic depiction of a two-stage device for alteration, where each stage has a bypass channel.

FIG. 37 is a schematic depiction of the use of fluidic channels to connect two stages in a device.

FIG. 38 is a schematic depiction of the use of fluidic channels to connect two stages in a device, wherein the two stages are configured as a small footprint array.

FIG. 39A is a schematic depiction of a two-stage device having a bypass channel that accepts output from both stages. FIG. 39B is a schematic graph of the range of product sizes achievable with this device.

FIG. 40 is a schematic depiction of a two-stage device for alteration having bypass channels that flank each stage and empty into the same outlet.

FIG. 41 is a schematic depiction of a device for the sequential movement and alteration of particles.

FIG. 42A is a photograph of a device of the invention. FIGS. 42B-43E are depictions the mask used to fabricate a device of the invention. FIG. 42F is a series of photographs of the device containing blood and buffer.

FIGS. 43A-43F are typical histograms generated by the hematology analyzer from a blood sample and the waste (buffer, plasma, red blood cells, and platelets) and product (buffer and nucleated cells) fractions generated by the device of FIG. 42.

FIGS. 44A-44D are depictions the mask used to fabricate a device of the invention.

FIGS. 45A-45D are depictions the mask used to fabricate a device of the invention.

FIG. 46A is a micrograph of a sample enriched in fetal red blood cells.

FIG. 46B is a micrograph of maternal red blood cell waste.

FIG. 47 is a series of micrographs showing the positive identification of male fetal cells (Blue=nucleus, Red=X chromosome, Green=Y chromosome).

FIG. 48 is a series of micrographs showing the positive identification of sex and trisomy 21.

FIGS. 49A-49D are depictions the mask used to fabricate a device of the invention.

FIGS. 50A-50G are electron micrographs of the device of FIG. 49.

FIGS. 51A-51D are depictions the mask used to fabricate a device of the invention.

FIGS. 52A-52F are electron micrographs of the device of FIG. 51.

FIGS. 53A-53F are electron micrographs of the device of FIG. 45.

FIGS. 54A-54D are depictions the mask used to fabricate a device of the invention.

FIGS. 55A-55S are electron micrographs of the device of FIG. 54.

FIGS. 56A-56C are electron micrographs of the device of FIG. 44.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart describing the isolation of fetal red blood cell nuclei.

FIG. 58 is a schematic graph of the course of lysis of cells in a maternal blood sample.

FIG. 59 is a schematic diagram of a microfluidic method to enrich the cells of interest and preferentially lyse the cells of interest in the enriched sample. The sample is first enriched by size-based direction of cells of interest into a preferred channel, and the cells of interest are then selectively lysed by controlling their residence time in a lysis solution.

FIG. 60 is a schematic diagram of a microfluidic method of size-based isolation of the nuclei of the lysed cells of interest from non-lysed whole cells of non-interest. The cells of non-interest are directed into the waste, while the nuclei are retained in the desired product streams.

FIG. 61 is a flowchart describing an alternate method for the separation of fetal nuclei from maternal white blood cells.

FIG. 62 is a schematic diagram of a device of the invention employing a substantially constant gap width and flow-feeding and flow-extracting boundaries.

FIG. 63 a is a schematic depiction of a manifold of the invention. FIG. 63 b is a photograph of a manifold of the invention.

FIG. 64 is a graph of the percentage of viable cells as a function of exposure to a hypotonic lysis solution.

FIG. 65 is a graph of hemolysis of whole blood as a function of time in a lysis buffer.

FIG. 66 a is a table that illustrates the nuclei recovery after Cytospin using Carney's fix solution total cell lysis procedure as described herein.

FIG. 66 b is a series of fluorescent micrographs showing an example of nuclei FISH results using Carney's fix mediated total cell lysis. The nuclei are FISHed for X (aqua), Y (green) and Y (red) and counterstained with DAPI.

FIG. 67 is a flowchart detailing various options for lysis of cells and nuclei.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Device

In general, the devices include one or more arrays of obstacles that allow deterministic lateral displacement of components of fluids. Prior art devices that differ from those the present invention, but which, like those of the invention, employ obstacles for this purpose are described, e.g., in Huang et al. Science 304, 987-990 (2004) and U.S. Publication No. 20040144651. The devices of the invention for separating particles according to size employ an array of a network of gaps, wherein a fluid passing through a gap is divided unequally into subsequent gaps. The array includes a network of gaps arranged such that fluid passing through a gap is divided unequally, even though the gaps may be identical in dimensions.

The device uses a flow that carries cells to be separated through the array of gaps. The flow is aligned at a small angle (flow angle) with respect to a line-of-sight of the array. Cells having a hydrodynamic size larger than a critical size migrate along the line-of-sight in the array, whereas those having a hydrodynamic size smaller than the critical size follow the flow in a different direction. Flow in the device occurs under laminar flow conditions.

The critical size is a function of several design parameters. With reference to the obstacle array in FIG. 1, each row of posts is shifted horizontally with respect to the previous row by Δλ, where λ is the center-to-center distance between the posts (FIG. 1A). The parameter Δλ/λ (the “bifurcation ratio,” ε) determines the ratio of flow bifurcated to the left of the next post. In FIG. 1, ε is ⅓, for the convenience of illustration. In general, if the flux through a gap between two posts is φ, the minor flux is εφ, and the major flux is (1−εφ) (FIG. 2). In this example, the flux through a gap is divided essentially into thirds (FIG. 1B). While each of the three fluxes through a gap weaves around the array of posts, the average direction of each flux is in the overall direction of flow. FIG. 1C illustrates the movement of a particles sized above the critical size through the array. Such particles move with the major flux, being transferred sequentially to the major flux passing through each gap.

Referring to FIG. 2, the critical size is approximately 2R_(critical), where R_(critical) is the distance between the stagnant flow line and the post. If the center of mass of a particle, e.g., a cell, falls at least R_(critical) away from the post, the particle would follow the major flux and move along the line-of-sight of the array. If the center of mass of a particle falls within R_(critical) of the post, it follows the minor flux in a different direction. R_(critical) can be determined if the flow profile across the gap is known (FIG. 3); it is the thickness of the layer of fluids that would make up the minor flux. For a given gap size, d, R_(critical) can be tailored based on the bifurcation ratio, 8. In general, the smaller 8, the smaller R_(critical).

In an array for deterministic lateral displacement, particles of different shapes behave as if they have different sizes (FIG. 4). For example, lymphocytes are spheres of ˜5 μm diameter, and erythrocytes are biconcave disks of ˜7 μm diameter, and ˜1.5 μm thick. The long axis of erythrocytes (diameter) is larger than that of the lymphocytes, but the short axis (thickness) is smaller. If erythrocytes align their long axes to a flow when driven through an array of posts by the flow, their hydrodynamic size is effectively their thickness (˜1.5 μm), which is smaller than lymphocytes. When an erythrocyte is driven through an array of posts by a hydrodynamic flow, it tends to align its long axis to the flow and behave like a ˜1.5 nm-wide particle, which is effectively “smaller” than lymphocytes. The method and device may therefore separate cells according to their shapes, although the volumes of the cells could be the same. In addition, particles having different deformability behave as if they have different sizes (FIG. 5). For example, two particles having the undeformed shape may be separated by deterministic lateral displacement, as the cell with the greater deformability may deform when it comes into contact with an obstacle in the array and change shape. Thus, separation in the device may be achieved based on any parameter that affects hydrodynamic size including the physical dimensions, the shape, and the deformability of the particle.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, feeding a mixture of particles, e.g., cells, of different hydrodynamic sizes from the top of the array and collecting the particles at the bottom, as shown schematically, produces two products, the output containing cells larger than the critical size, 2R_(critical), and waste containing cells smaller than the critical size. Although labeled “waste” in FIG. 7, particles below the critical size may be collected while the particles above the critical size are discarded. Both types of outputs may also be desirably collected, e.g., when fractionating a sample into two or more sub-samples. Cells larger than the gap size will get trapped inside the array. Therefore, an array has a working size range. Cells have to be larger than a critical size (2R_(critical)) and smaller than a maximum pass-through size (array gap size) to be directed into the major flux.

Uses of Devices of the Invention

The invention features improved devices for the separation of particles, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, cells, cellular components, viruses, nucleic acids, proteins, and protein complexes, according to size. The devices may be used to effect various manipulations on particles in a sample. Such manipulations include enrichment or concentration of a particle, including size based fractionization, or alteration of the particle itself or the fluid carrying the particle. Preferably, the devices are employed to enrich rare particles from a heterogeneous mixture or to alter a rare particle, e.g., by exchanging the liquid in the suspension or by contacting a particle with a reagent. Such devices allow for a high degree of enrichment with limited stress on cells, e.g., reduced mechanical lysis or intracellular activation of cells.

Although primarily described in terms of cells, the devices of the invention may be employed with any other particles whose size allows for separation in a device of the invention.

Array Design

Single-stage array. In one embodiment, a single stage contains an array of obstacles, e.g., cylindrical posts (FIG. 1D). In certain embodiments, the array has a maximum pass-through size that is several times larger than the critical size, e.g., when separating white blood cells from red blood cells. This result may be achieved using a combination of a large gap size d and a small bifurcation ratio ε. In preferred embodiments, the ε is at most 1/2, e.g., at most 1/3, 1/10, 1/30, 1/100, 1/300, or 1/1000. In such embodiments, the obstacle shape may affect the flow profile in the gap; however, the obstacles can be compressed in the flow direction, in order to make the array short (FIG. 1E). Single stage arrays may include bypass channels as described herein.

Multiple-stage arrays. In another embodiment, multiple stages are employed to separate particles over a wide range of sizes. An exemplary device is shown in FIG. 7. The device shown has three stages, but any number of stages may be employed. Typically, the cut-off size (i.e. critical size) in the first stage is larger than the cut-off in the second stage, and the first stage cut-off size is smaller than the maximum pass-through size of the second stage (FIG. 8). The same is true for the following stages. The first stage will deflect (and remove) particles, e.g., that would cause clogging in the second stage, before they reach the second stage. Similarly, the second stage will deflect (and remove) particles that would cause clogging in the third stage, before they reach the third stage. In general an array can have as many stages as desired.

As described, in a multiple-stage array, large particles, e.g., cells, that could cause clogging downstream are deflected first, and these deflected particles need to bypass the downstream stages to avoid clogging. Thus, devices of the invention may include bypass channels that remove output from an array. Although described here in terms of removing particles above the critical size, bypass channels may also be employed to remove output from any portion of the array.

Different designs for bypass channels are as follows.

Single bypass channels. In this design, all stages share one bypass channel, or there is only one stage. The physical boundary of the bypass channel may be defined by the array boundary on one side and a sidewall on the other side (FIGS. 9-11). Single bypass channels may also be employed with duplex arrays such that a central bypass channel separates the two arrays (i.e., two outer regions) (FIG. 12).

Single bypass channels may also be designed, in conjunction with an array to maintain constant flux through a device (FIG. 13). The bypass channel has varying width designed to maintain constant flux through all the stages, so that the flow in the channel does not interfere with the flow in the arrays. Such a design may also be employed with an array duplex (FIG. 14). Single bypass channels may also be designed in conjunction with the array in order to maintain substantially constant fluidic resistance through all stages (FIG. 15). Such a design may also be employed with an array duplex (FIG. 16.)

Multiple bypass channels. In this design (FIG. 17), each stage has its own bypass channel, and the channels are separated from each other by sidewalls, e.g., to prevent the mixing of the contents of different channels. Large particles, e.g., cells are deflected into the major flux to the lower right corner of the first stage and then into in a bypass channel (bypass channel 1 in FIG. 17). Smaller cells that would not cause clogging in the second stage proceed to the second stage, and cells above the critical size of the second stage are deflected to the lower right corner of the second stage and into in another bypass channel (bypass channel 2 in FIG. 17). This design may be repeated for as many stages as desired. In this embodiment, the bypass channels are not fluidically connected, allowing for separate collection and other manipulations. The bypass channels do not need to be straight or be physically parallel to each other (FIG. 18). Multiple bypass channels may also be employed with duplex arrays (FIG. 19).

Multiple bypass channels may be designed, in conjunction with an array to maintain constant flux through a device (FIG. 20). In this example, bypass channels are designed to remove an amount of flow so the flow in the array is not perturbed, i.e., substantially constant. Such a design may also be employed with an array duplex (FIG. 21). In this design, the center bypass channel may be shared between the two arrays in the duplex.

Optimal Boundary Design. If the array were infinitely large, the flow distribution would be the same at every gap. The flux φ going through a gap would be the same, and the minor flux would be εφ for every gap. In practice, the boundaries of the array perturb this infinite flow pattern. Portions of the boundaries of arrays may be designed to generate the flow pattern of an infinite array. Boundaries may be flow-feeding, i.e., the boundary injects fluid into the array, or flow-extracting, i.e., the boundary extracts fluid from the array.

A preferred flow-extracting boundary widens gradually to extract εφ (represented by arrows in FIG. 22) from each gap at the boundary (d=24 μm, ε=1/60). For example, the distance between the array and the sidewall gradually increases to allow for the addition of εφ to the boundary from each gap along that boundary. The flow pattern inside this array is not affected by the bypass channel because of the boundary design.

A preferred flow-feeding boundary narrows gradually to feed exactly εφ (represented by arrows in FIG. 23) into each gap at the boundary (d=24 μm, ε=1/60). For example, the distance between the array and the sidewall gradually decreases to allow for the addition of εφ to each gap along the boundary from that boundary. Again, the flow pattern inside this array is not affected by the bypass channel because of the boundary design.

A flow-feeding boundary may also be as wide as or wider than the gaps of an array (FIG. 24) (d=24 μm, ε=1/60). A wide boundary may be desired if the boundary serves as a bypass channel, e.g., to allow for collection of particles. A boundary may be employed that uses part of its entire flow to feed the array and feeds εφ into each gap at the boundary (represented by arrows in FIG. 24).

FIG. 25 shows a single bypass channel in a duplex array (ε=1/10, d=8 nm). The bypass channel includes two flow-feeding boundaries. The flux across the dashed line 1 in the bypass channel is Φ_(bypass). A flow φ joins Φ_(bypass) from a gap to the left of the dashed line. The shapes of the obstacles at the boundaries are adjusted so that the flows going into the arrays are εφ at each gap at the boundaries. The flux at dashed line 2 is again Φ_(bypass).

Device Design

On-Chip Flow Resistor for Defining and Stabilizing Flow

Devices of the invention may also employ fluidic resistors to define and stabilize flows within an array and to also define the flows collected from the array. FIG. 26 shows a schematic of planar device; a sample, e.g., blood, inlet channel, a buffer inlet channel, a waste outlet channel, and a product outlet channel are each connected to an array. The inlets and outlets act as flow resistors. FIG. 26 also shows the corresponding fluidic resistances of these different device components.

Flow Definition within the Array

FIGS. 27 and 28 show the currents and corresponding widths of the sample and buffer flows within the array when the device has a constant depth and is operated with a given pressure drop. The flow is determined by the pressure drop divided by the resistance. In this particular device, I_(blood) and I_(buffer) are equivalent, and this determines equivalent widths of the blood and buffer streams in the array.

Definition of Collection Fraction

By controlling the relative resistance of the product and waste outlet channels, one can modulate the collection tolerance for each fraction. For example, in this particular set of schematics, when R_(product) is greater than R_(waste), a more concentrated product fraction will result at the expense of a potentially increased loss to and dilution of waste fraction. Conversely, when R_(product) is less than R_(waste), a more dilute and higher yield product fraction will be collected at the expense of potential contamination from the waste stream.

Flow Stabilization

Each of the inlet and outlet channels can be designed so that the pressure drops across the channels are appreciable to or greater than the fluctuations of the overall driving pressure. In typical cases, the inlet and outlet pressure drops are 0.001 to 0.99 times the driving pressure.

Multiplexed Arrays

The invention features multiplexed arrays. Putting multiple arrays on one device increases sample-processing throughput and allows for parallel processing of multiple samples or portions of the sample for different fractions or manipulations. Multiplexing is further desirable for preparative devices. The simplest multiplex device includes two devices attached in series, i.e., a cascade. For example, the output from the major flux of one device may be coupled to the input of a second device. Alternatively, the output from the minor flux of one device may be coupled to the input of the second device.

Duplexing. Two arrays can be disposed side-by-side, e.g., as mirror images (FIG. 29). In such an arrangement, the critical size of the two arrays may be the same or different. Moreover, the arrays may be arranged so that the major flux flows to the boundary of the two arrays, to the edge of each array, or a combination thereof. Such a duplexed array may also contain a central bypass channel disposed between the arrays, e.g., to collect particles above the critical size or to alter the sample, e.g., through buffer exchange, reaction, or labeling.

Multiplexing on a device. In addition to forming a duplex, two or more arrays that have separated inputs may be disposed on the same device (FIG. 30A). Such an arrangement could be employed for multiple samples, or the plurality of arrays may be connected to the same inlet for parallel processing of the same sample. In parallel processing of the same sample, the outlets may or may not be fluidically connected. For example, when the plurality of arrays has the same critical size, the outlets may be connected for high throughput sample processing. In another example, the arrays may not all have the same critical size or the particles in the arrays may not all be treated in the same manner, and the outlets may not be fluidically connected.

Multiplexing may also be achieved by placing a plurality of duplex arrays on a single device (FIG. 30B). A plurality of arrays, duplex or single, may be placed in any possible three-dimensional relationship to one another.

Devices of the invention also feature a small-footprint. Reducing the footprint of an array can lower cost, and reduce the number of collisions with obstacles to eliminate any potential mechanical damage or other effects to particles. The length of a multiple stage array can be reduced if the boundaries between stages are not perpendicular to the direction of flow. The length reduction becomes significant as the number of stages increases. FIG. 31 shows a small-footprint three-stage array.

Additional Components

In addition to an array of gaps, devices of the invention may include additional elements, e.g., for isolating, collection, manipulation, or detection. Such elements are known in the art. Arrays may also be employed on a device having components for other types of separation, including affinity, magnetic, electrophoretic, centrifugal, and dielectrophoretic separation. Devices of the invention may also be employed with a component for two-dimensional imaging of the output from the device, e.g., an array of wells or a planar surface. Preferably, arrays of gaps as described herein are employed in conjunction with an affinity enrichment.

The invention may also be employed in conjunction with other enrichment devices, either on the same device or in different devices. Other enrichment techniques are described, e.g., in International Publication Nos. 2004/029221 and 2004/113877, U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,952, U.S. Application Publications 2005/0282293 and 2005/0266433, and U.S. Application No. 60/668,415, each of which is incorporated by reference.

Methods of Fabrication

Devices of the invention may be fabricated using techniques well known in the art. The choice of fabrication technique will depend on the material used for the device and the size of the array. Exemplary materials for fabricating the devices of the invention include glass, silicon, steel, nickel, poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyolefins, silicones (e.g., poly(dimethylsiloxane)), and combinations thereof. Other materials are known in the art. For example, deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE) is used to fabricate silicon-based devices with small gaps, small obstacles and large aspect ratios (ratio of obstacle height to lateral dimension). Thermoforming (embossing, injection molding) of plastic devices can also be used, e.g., when the smallest lateral feature is 20 microns and the aspect ratio of these features is less than 3. Additional methods include photolithography (e.g., stereolithography or x-ray photolithography), molding, embossing, silicon micromachining, wet or dry chemical etching, milling, diamond cutting, Lithographie Galvanoformung and Abformung (LIGA), and electroplating. For example, for glass, traditional silicon fabrication techniques of photolithography followed by wet (KOH) or dry etching (reactive ion etching with fluorine or other reactive gas) can be employed. Techniques such as laser micromachining can be adopted for plastic materials with high photon absorption efficiency. This technique is suitable for lower throughput fabrication because of the serial nature of the process. For mass-produced plastic devices, thermoplastic injection molding, and compression molding may be suitable. Conventional thermoplastic injection molding used for mass-fabrication of compact discs (which preserves fidelity of features in sub-microns) may also be employed to fabricate the devices of the invention. For example, the device features are replicated on a glass master by conventional photolithography. The glass master is electroformed to yield a tough, thermal shock resistant, thermally conductive, hard mold. This mold serves as the master template for injection molding or compression molding the features into a plastic device. Depending on the plastic material used to fabricate the devices and the requirements on optical quality and throughput of the finished product, compression molding or injection molding may be chosen as the method of manufacture. Compression molding (also called hot embossing or relief imprinting) has the advantages of being compatible with high-molecular weight polymers, which are excellent for small structures, but is difficult to use in replicating high aspect ratio structures and has longer cycle times. Injection molding works well for high-aspect ratio structures but is most suitable for low molecular weight polymers.

A device may be fabricated in one or more pieces that are then assembled. Layers of a device may be bonded together by clamps, adhesives, heat, anodic bonding, or reactions between surface groups (e.g., wafer bonding). Alternatively, a device with channels in more than one plane may be fabricated as a single piece, e.g., using stereolithography or other three-dimensional fabrication techniques.

To reduce non-specific adsorption of cells or compounds, e.g., released by lysed cells or found in biological samples, onto the channel walls, one or more channel walls may be chemically modified to be non-adherent or repulsive. The walls may be coated with a thin film coating (e.g., a monolayer) of commercial non-stick reagents, such as those used to form hydrogels. Additional examples chemical species that may be used to modify the channel walls include oligoethylene glycols, fluorinated polymers, organosilanes, thiols, poly-ethylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, bovine serum albumin, poly-vinyl alcohol, mucin, poly-HEMA, methacrylated PEG, and agarose. Charged polymers may also be employed to repel oppositely charged species. The type of chemical species used for repulsion and the method of attachment to the channel walls will depend on the nature of the species being repelled and the nature of the walls and the species being attached. Such surface modification techniques are well known in the art. The walls may be functionalized before or after the device is assembled. The channel walls may also be coated in order to capture materials in the sample, e.g., membrane fragments or proteins.

Methods of Operation

Devices of the invention may be employed in any application where the production of a sample enriched in particles above or below a critical size is desired. A preferred use of the device is in produced samples enriched in cells, e.g., rare cells. Once an enriched sample is produced, it may be collected for analysis or otherwise manipulated, e.g., through further enrichment.

The method of the invention uses a flow that carries cells to be separated through the array of gaps. The flow is aligned at a small angle (flow angle) with respect to a line-of-sight of the array. Cells having a hydrodynamic size larger than a critical size migrate along the line-of-sight in the array, whereas those having a hydrodynamic size smaller than the critical size follow the flow in a different direction. Flow in the device occurs under laminar flow conditions.

The method of the invention may be employed with concentrated samples, e.g., where particles are touching, hydrodynamically interacting with each other, or exerting an effect on the flow distribution around another particle. For example, the method can separate white blood cells from red blood cells in whole blood from a human donor. Human blood typically contains ˜45% of cells by volume. Cells are in physical contact and/or coupled to each other hydrodynamically when they flow through the array. FIG. 32 shows schematically that cells are densely packed inside an array and could physically interact with each other.

Enrichment

In one embodiment, the methods of the invention are employed to produce a sample enriched in particles of a desired hydrodynamic size. Applications of such enrichment include concentrating particles, e.g., rare cells, and size fractionization, e.g., size filtering (selecting cells in a particular range of sizes). The methods may also be used to enrich components of cells, e.g., nuclei. Nuclei or other cellular components may be produced by manipulation of the sample, e.g., lysis as described herein, or be naturally present in the sample, e.g., via apoptosis or necrosis. Desirably, the methods of the invention retain at least 1%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 75%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% of the desired particles compared to the initial mixture, while potentially enriching the desired particles by a factor of at least 1, 10, 100, 1000, 10,000, 100,000, or even 1,000,000 relative to one or more non-desired particles. The enrichment may also result in a dilution of the separated particles compared to the original sample, although the concentration of the separated particles relative to other particles in the sample has increased. Preferably, the dilution is at most 90%, e.g., at most 75%, 50%, 33%, 25%, 10%, or 1%.

In a preferred embodiment, the method produces a sample enriched in rare particles, e.g., cells. In general, a rare particle is a particle that is present as less than 10% of a sample. Exemplary rare particles include, depending on the sample, fetal cells, nucleated red blood cells (e.g., fetal or maternal), stem cells (e.g., undifferentiated), cancer cells, immune system cells (host or graft), epithelial cells, connective tissue cells, bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, and pathogens (e.g., bacterial or protozoan). Such rare particles may be isolated from samples including bodily fluids, e.g., blood, or environmental sources, e.g., pathogens in water samples. Fetal cells, e.g., nucleated RBCs, may be enriched from maternal peripheral blood, e.g., for the purpose of determining sex and identifying aneuploidies or genetic characteristics, e.g., mutations, in the developing fetus. Cancer cells may also be enriched from peripheral blood for the purpose of diagnosis and monitoring therapeutic progress. Bodily fluids or environmental samples may also be screened for pathogens or parasites, e.g., for coliform bacteria, blood borne illnesses such as sepsis, or bacterial or viral meningitis. Rare cells also include cells from one organism present in another organism, e.g., an in cells from a transplanted organ.

In addition to enrichment of rare particles, the methods of the invention may be employed for preparative applications. An exemplary preparative application includes generation of cell packs from blood. The methods of the invention may be configured to produce fractions enriched in platelets, red blood cells, and white cells. By using multiplexed devices or multistage devices, all three cellular fractions may be produced in parallel or in series from the same sample. In other embodiments, the method may be employed to separate nucleated from enucleated cells, e.g., from cord blood sources.

Using the methods of the invention is advantageous in situations where the particles being enriched are subject to damage or other degradation. As described herein, devices of the invention may be designed to enrich cells with a minimum number of collisions between the cells and obstacles. This minimization reduces mechanical damage to cells and also prevents intracellular activation of cells caused by the collisions. This gentle handling of the cells preserves the limited number of rare cells in a sample, prevents rupture of cells leading to contamination or degradation by intracellular components, and prevents maturation or activation of cells, e.g., stem cells or platelets. In preferred embodiments, cells are enriched such that fewer than 30%, 10%, 5%, 1%, 0.1%, or even 0.01% are activated or mechanically lysed.

FIG. 33 shows a typical size distribution of cells in human peripheral blood. The white blood cells range from ˜4 μm to ˜18 μm, whereas the red blood cells are ˜1.5 μm (short axis). An array designed to separate white blood cells from red blood cells typically has a cut-off size (i.e., critical size) of 2 to 4 μm and a maximum pass-through size of greater than 18 μm.

In an alternative embodiment, the device would function as a detector for abnormalities in red blood cells. The deterministic principle of sorting enables a predictive outcome of the percentage of enucleated cells deflected in the device. In a disease state, such as malarial infection or sickle cell anemia, the distortion in shape and flexibility of the red cells would significantly change the percentage of cells deflected. This change can be monitored as a first level sentry to alert to the potential of a diseased physiology to be followed by microscopy examination of shape and size of red cells to assign the disease. The method is also generally applicable monitoring for any change in flexibility of particles in a sample.

In an alternative embodiment, the device would function as a detector for platelet aggregation. The deterministic principle of sorting enables a predictive outcome of the percentage of free platelets deflected in the device. Activated platelets would form aggregates, and the aggregates would be deflected. This change can be monitored as a first level sentry to alert the compromised efficacy of a platelet pack for reinfusion. The method is also generally applicable monitoring for any change in size, e.g., through agglomeration, of particles in a sample.

Alteration

In other embodiments of the methods of this invention, cells of interest are contacted with an altering reagent that may chemically or physically alter the particle or the fluid in the suspension. Such applications include purification, buffer exchange, labeling (e.g., immunohistochemical, magnetic, and histochemical labeling, cell staining, and flow in-situ fluorescence hybridization (FISH)), cell fixation, cell stabilization, cell lysis, and cell activation.

Such methods allow for the transfer of particles from a sample into a different liquid. FIG. 34A shows this effect schematically for a single stage device, FIG. 34B shows this effect for a multistage device, FIG. 34C shows this effect for a duplex array, and FIG. 34D shows this effect for a multistage duplex array. By using such methods, blood cells may be separated from plasma. Such transfers of particles from one liquid to another may be also employed to effect a series of alterations, e.g., Wright staining blood on-chip. Such a series may include reacting a particle with a first reagent and then transferring the particle to a wash buffer, and then to another reagent.

FIGS. 35A, 35B, 35C illustrate a further example of alteration in a two-stage device having two bypass channels. In this example, large blood particles are moved from blood to buffer and collected in stage 1, medium blood particles are moved from blood to buffer in stage 2, and then small blood particles that are not removed from the blood in stages 1 and 2 are collected. FIG. 35B illustrates the size cut-off of the two stages, and FIG. 35C illustrates the size distribution of the three fractions collected.

FIG. 36 illustrates an example of alteration in a two-stage device having bypass channels that are disposed between the lateral edge of the array and the channel wall. FIG. 37 illustrates a device similar to that in FIG. 36, except that the two stages are connected by fluidic channels. FIG. 38 illustrates alteration in a device having two stages with a small footprint. FIGS. 39A-39B illustrates alteration in a device in which the output from the first and second stages is captured in a single channel. FIG. 40 illustrates another device for use in the methods of the invention.

FIG. 41 illustrates the use of a device to perform multiple, sequential alterations on a particle. In this method, a blood particle is moved from blood into a reagent that reacts with the particle, and the reacted particle is then moved into a buffer, thereby removing the unreacted reagent or reaction byproducts. Additional steps may be added.

In another embodiment, reagents are added to the sample to selectively or nonselectively increase the hydrodynamic size of the particles within the sample. This modified sample is then pumped through an obstacle array. Because the particles are swollen and have an increased hydrodynamic diameter, it will be possible to use obstacle arrays with larger and more easily manufactured gap sizes. In a preferred embodiment, the steps of swelling and size-based enrichment are performed in an integrated fashion on a device. Suitable reagents include any hypotonic solution, e.g., deionized water, 2% sugar solution, or neat non-aqueous solvents. Other reagents include beads, e.g., magnetic or polymer, that bind selectively (e.g., through antibodies or avidin-biotin) or non-selectively.

In an alternate embodiment, reagents are added to the sample to selectively or nonselectively decrease the hydrodynamic size of the particles within the sample. Nonuniform decrease in particles in a sample will increase the difference in hydrodynamic size between particles. For example, nucleated cells are separated from enucleated cells by hypertonically shrinking the cells. The enucleated cells can shrink to a very small particle, while the nucleated cells cannot shrink below the size of the nucleus. Exemplary shrinking reagents include hypertonic solutions.

In another embodiment, affinity functionalized beads are used to increase the volume of particles of interest relative to the other particles present in a sample, thereby allowing for the operation of a obstacle array with a larger and more easily manufactured gap size.

Enrichment and alteration may also be combined, e.g., where desired cells are contacted with a lysing reagent and cellular components, e.g., nuclei, are enriched based on size. In another example, particles may be contacted with particulate labels, e.g., magnetic beads, which bind to the particles. Unbound particulate labels may be removed based on size.

Combination with Other Enrichment Techniques

Enrichment and alteration methods employing devices of the invention may be combined with other particulate sample manipulation techniques. In particular, further enrichment or purification of a particle may be desirable. Further enrichment may occur by any technique, including affinity enrichment. Suitable affinity enrichment techniques include contact particles of interest with affinity agents bound to channel walls or an array of obstacles.

Fluids may be driven through a device either actively or passively. Fluids may be pumped using electric field, a centrifugal field, pressure-driven fluid flow, an electro-osmotic flow, and capillary action. In preferred embodiments, the average direction of the field will be parallel to the walls of the channel that contains the array.

Methods of Preferential Lysis

The invention further provides methods for preferentially lysing cells of interest in a sample, e.g., to extract clinical information from a cellular component, e.g., a nucleus, of the cells of interest. In general, the method employs differential lysis between the cells of interest and other cells (e.g., other nucleated cells) in the sample.

Lysis

Cells of interest may be lysed using any suitable method. In one embodiment of the methods of this invention, cells may be lysed by being contacted with a solution that causes preferential lysis. Lysis solutions for these cells may include cell specific IgM molecules and proteins in the complement cascade to initiate complement mediated lysis. Another kind of lysis solution may include viruses that infect a specific cell type and cause lysis as a result of replication (see, e.g., Pawlik et al. Cancer 2002, 95:1171-81). Other lysis solutions include those that disrupt the osmotic balance of cells, e.g., hypotonic or hypertonic (e.g., distilled water), to cause lysis. Other lysis solutions are known in the art. Lysis may also occur by mechanical means, e.g., by passing cells through a sieve or other structure that mechanically disrupts the cells, through the addition of heat, acoustic, or light energy to lyse the cells, or through cell-regulated processes such as apoptosis and necrosis. Cells may also be lysed by subjecting them to one or more cycles of freezing and thawing. Additionally, detergents may be employed to solubilize the cell membrane, lysing the cells to liberate their contents.

In one embodiment, the cells of interest are rare cells, e.g., circulating cancer cells, fetal cells (such as fetal nucleated red blood cells), blood cells (such as nucleated red blood cells, including maternal and/or fetal nucleated red blood cells), immune cells, connective tissue cells, parasites, or pathogens (such as, bacteria, protozoa, and fungi). Most circulating rare cells of interest have compromised membrane integrity as a result of the immune attack from the host RES (Reticulo-Endothelial-System), and accordingly are more susceptible to lysis.

In one embodiment, the cells of interest are lysed as they flow through a microfluidic device, e.g., as described in International Publications WO 2004/029221 and WO 2004/113877 or as described herein. In another embodiment, cells of interest are first bound to obstacles in a microfluidic device, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,115, and then lysed. In this embodiment, the cellular components of cells of interest are released from the obstacles, while cellular components of undesired cells remain bound.

Collection of Cellular Components

Desired cellular components may be separated from cell lysate by any suitable method, e.g., based on size, weight, shape, charge, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, chemical reactivity or inertness, or affinity. For example, nucleic acids, ions, proteins, and other charged species may be captured by ion exchange resins or separated by electrophoresis. Cellular components may also be separated based on size or weight by size exclusion chromatography, centrifugation, or filtration. Cellular components may also be separated by affinity mechanisms (i.e., a specific binding interaction, such antibody-antigen and nucleic acid complementary interactions), e.g., affinity chromatography, binding to affinity species bound to surfaces, and affinity-based precipitation. In particular, nucleic acids, e.g., genomic DNA, may be separated by hybridization to sequence specific probes, e.g., attached to beads or an array. Cellular components may also be collected on the basis of shape or deformability or non-specific chemical interactions, e.g., chromatography or reverse phase chromatography or precipitation with salts or other reagents, e.g., organic solvents. Cellular components may also be collected based on chemical reactions, e.g., binding of free amines or thiols. Prior to collection, cellular components may also be altered to enable or enhance a particular mode of collection, e.g., via denaturation, enzymatic cleavage (such as via a protease, endonuclease, exonuclease, or restriction endonuclease), or labeling or other chemical reaction.

The level of purity required for collected cellular components will depend on the particular manipulation employed and may be determined by the skilled artisan. In certain embodiments, the cellular component may not need to be isolated from the lysate, e.g., when the cellular component of interest may be analyzed or otherwise manipulated without interference from other cellular components. Affinity based manipulations (e.g., reaction with nucleic acid probes or primers, aptamers, antibodies, or sequence specific intercalating agents, with or without detectable labels) are amenable for use without purification of the cellular components.

In one embodiment, a device, e.g., as described in U.S. Application Publication 2004/0144651 or as described herein, is employed to isolate particulate cellular components of interest, e.g., nuclei, from the lysate based on size. In this embodiment, the particulate cellular components of interest may be separated from other particulate cellular components and intact cells using the device.

Manipulation of Cellular Components

Once released by lysis or otherwise obtained, e.g., via size based separation methods described herein, desired cellular components may be further manipulated, e.g., identified, enumerated, reacted, isolated, or destroyed. In one embodiment, the cellular components contain nucleic acid, e.g., nuclei, mitochondria, and nuclear or cytoplasmic DNA or RNA. In particular, nucleic acids may include RNA, such as mRNA or rRNA, or DNA, such as chromosomal DNA, e.g., that has been cleaved, or DNA that has undergone apoptotic processing. Genetic analysis of the nucleic acid in the cellular component may be performed by any suitable methods, e.g., PCR, FISH, and sequencing. Genetic information may be employed to diagnose disease, status as a genetic disease carrier, or infection with pathogens or parasites. If acquired from fetal cells, genetic information relating to sex, paternity, mutations (e.g., cystic fibrosis), and aneuploidy (e.g., trisomy 21) may be obtained. In some embodiments, analysis of fetal cells or components thereof is used to determine the presence or absence of a genetic abnormality, such as a chromosomal, DNA, or RNA abnormality. Examples of autosomal chromosome abnormalities include, but are not limited to, Angleman syndrome (15q11.2-q13), cri-du-chat syndrome (5p-), DiGeorge syndrome and Velo-cardiofacial syndrome (22q11.2), Miller-Dieker syndrome (17p13.3), Prader-Willi syndrome (15q11.2-q13), retinoblastoma (13q14), Smith-Magenis syndrome (17p11.2), trisomy 13, trisomy 16, trisomy 18, trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), triploidy, Williams syndrome (7q11.23), and Wolf-Hirschhorn (4p-). Examples of sex chromosome abnormalities include, but are not limited to, Kallman syndrome (Xp22.3), steroid sulfate deficiency (STS) (Xp22.3), X-linked ichthiosis (Xp22.3), Klinefelter syndrome (XXY); fragile X syndrome; Turner syndrome; metafemales or trisomy X; and monosomy X. Other less common chromosomal abnormalities that can be analyzed by the systems herein include, but are not limited to, deletions (small missing sections); microdeletions (a minute amount of missing material that may include only a single gene); translocations (a section of a chromosome is attached to another chromosome); and inversions (a section of chromosome is snipped out and reinserted upside down). In some embodiments, analysis of fetal cells or components thereof is used to analyze SNPs and predict a condition of the fetus based on such SNPs. If acquired from cancer cells, genetic information relating to tumorgenic properties may be obtained. If acquired from viral or bacterial cells, genetic information relating to the pathogenicity and classification may be obtained. For non-genetic cellular components, the components may be analyzed to diagnose disease or to monitor health. For example, proteins or metabolites from rare cells, e.g., fetal cells, may be analyzed by any suitable method, including affinity-based assays (e.g., ELISA) or other analytical techniques, e.g., chromatography and mass spectrometry.

General Considerations

Samples may be employed in the methods described herein with or without purification, e.g., stabilization and removal of certain components. Some sample may be diluted or concentrated prior to introduction into the device.

In another embodiment of the methods of this invention, a sample is contacted with a microfluidic device containing a plurality of obstacles, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,115 or as described herein. Cells of interest bind to affinity moieties bound to the obstacles in such a device and are thereby enriched relative to undesired cells, e.g., as described in WO 2004/029221.

In another embodiment of the methods of the invention employing a similar device, cells of non-interest bind to affinity moieties bound to the obstacles, while allowing the cells of interest to pass through resulting in an enriched sample with cells of interest, e.g., as described in WO 2004/029221. The sized based method and the affinity-based method may also be combined in a two-step method to further enrich a sample in cells of interest.

In another embodiment of the methods of the invention, a cell sample is pre-filtered by contact with a microfluidic device containing a plurality of obstacles disposed such that particles above a certain size are deflected to travel in a direction not parallel to the average direction of fluid flow, e.g., as described in U.S. Application Publication 2004/0144651 or as described herein.

EXAMPLES Example 1 A Silicon Device Multiplexing 14 3-Stage Array Duplexes

FIGS. 42A-42E show an exemplary device of the invention, characterized as follows.

Dimension: 90 mm×34 mm×1 mm

Array design: 3 stages, gap size=18, 12, and 8 μm for the first, second and third stage, respectively. Bifurcation ratio=1/10. Duplex; single bypass channel

Device design: multiplexing 14 array duplexes; flow resistors for flow stability

Device fabrication: The arrays and channels were fabricated in silicon using standard photolithography and deep silicon reactive etching techniques. The etch depth is 150 μm. Through holes for fluid access are made using KOH wet etching. The silicon substrate was sealed on the etched face to form enclosed fluidic channels using a blood compatible pressure sensitive adhesive (9795, 3M, St Paul, Minn.).

Device Packaging: The device was mechanically mated to a plastic manifold with external fluidic reservoirs to deliver blood and buffer to the device and extract the generated fractions.

Device Operation: An external pressure source was used to apply a pressure of 2.4 PSI to the buffer and blood reservoirs to modulate fluidic delivery and extraction from the packaged device.

Experimental conditions: human blood from consenting adult donors was collected into K₂EDTA vacutainers (366643, Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, N.J.). The undiluted blood was processed using the exemplary device described above (FIG. 42F) at room temperature and within 9 hrs of draw. Nucleated cells from the blood were separated from enucleated cells (red blood cells and platelets), and plasma delivered into a buffer stream of calcium and magnesium-free Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline (14190-144, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) containing 1% Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) (A8412-100ML, Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, Mo.).

Measurement techniques: Complete blood counts were determined using a Coulter impedance hematology analyzer (COULTER® Ac•T Diff™, Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, Calif.).

Performance: FIGS. 43A-43F shows typical histograms generated by the hematology analyzer from a blood sample and the waste (buffer, plasma, red blood cells, and platelets) and product (buffer and nucleated cells) fractions generated by the device. The following table shows the performance over 5 different blood samples:

Performance Metrics Sample RBC Platelet WBC number Throughput removal removal loss 1 4 mL/hr 100% 99% <1% 2 6 mL/hr 100% 99% <1% 3 6 mL/hr 100% 99% <1% 4 6 mL/hr 100% 97% <1% 5 6 mL/hr 100% 98% <1%

Example 2 A silicon device multiplexing 14 single-stage array duplexes

FIG. 44 shows an exemplary device of the invention, characterized as follows.

Dimension: 90 mm×34 mm×1 mm

Array design: 1 stage, gap size=24 μm. Bifurcation ratio=1/60. Duplex; double bypass channel

Device design: multiplexing 14 array duplexes; flow resistors for flow stability

Device fabrication: The arrays and channels were fabricated in silicon using standard photolithography and deep silicon reactive etching techniques. The etch depth is 150 μm. Through holes for fluid access are made using KOH wet etching. The silicon substrate was sealed on the etched face to form enclosed fluidic channels using a blood compatible pressure sensitive adhesive (9795, 3M, St Paul, Minn.).

Device Packaging: The device was mechanically mated to a plastic manifold with external fluidic reservoirs to deliver blood and buffer to the device and extract the generated fractions.

Device Operation: An external pressure source was used to apply a pressure of 2.4 PSI to the buffer and blood reservoirs to modulate fluidic delivery and extraction from the packaged device.

Experimental conditions: human blood from consenting adult donors was collected into K₂EDTA vacutainers (366643, Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, N.J.). The undiluted blood was processed using the exemplary device described above at room temperature and within 9 hrs of draw. Nucleated cells from the blood were separated from enucleated cells (red blood cells and platelets), and plasma delivered into a buffer stream of calcium and magnesium-free Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline (14190-144, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) containing 1% Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) (A8412-100ML, Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, Mo.).

Measurement techniques: Complete blood counts were determined using a Coulter impedance hematology analyzer (COULTER® Ac•T Diff™, Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, Calif.).

Performance: The device operated at 17 mL/hr and achieved >99% red blood cell removal, >95% nucleated cell retention, and >98% platelet removal.

Example 3 Separation of Fetal Cord Blood

FIG. 45 shows a schematic of the device used to separate nucleated cells from fetal cord blood.

Dimension: 100 mm×28 mm×1 mm

Array design: 3 stages, gap size=18, 12, and 8 μm for the first, second and third stage, respectively. Bifurcation ratio=1/10. Duplex; single bypass channel.

Device design: multiplexing 10 array duplexes; flow resistors for flow stability

Device fabrication: The arrays and channels were fabricated in silicon using standard photolithography and deep silicon reactive etching techniques. The etch depth is 140 μm. Through holes for fluid access are made using KOH wet etching. The silicon substrate was sealed on the etched face to form enclosed fluidic channels using a blood compatible pressure sensitive adhesive (9795, 3M, St Paul, Minn.).

Device Packaging: The device was mechanically mated to a plastic manifold with external fluidic reservoirs to deliver blood and buffer to the device and extract the generated fractions.

Device Operation: An external pressure source was used to apply a pressure of 2.0 PSI to the buffer and blood reservoirs to modulate fluidic delivery and extraction from the packaged device.

Experimental conditions: Human fetal cord blood was drawn into phosphate buffered saline containing Acid Citrate Dextrose anticoagulants. One milliliter of blood was processed at 3 mL/hr using the device described above at room temperature and within 48 hrs of draw. Nucleated cells from the blood were separated from enucleated cells (red blood cells and platelets), and plasma delivered into a buffer stream of calcium and magnesium-free Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline (14190-144, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) containing 1% Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) (A8412-100ML, Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, Mo.) and 2 mM EDTA (15575-020, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.).

Measurement techniques: Cell smears of the product and waste fractions (FIG. 46A-46B) were prepared and stained with modified Wright-Giemsa (WG16, Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.).

Performance: Fetal nucleated red blood cells were observed in the product fraction (FIG. 46A) and absent from the waste fraction (FIG. 46B).

Example 4 Isolation of Fetal Cells from Maternal Blood

The device and process described in detail in Example 1 were used in combination with immunomagnetic affinity enrichment techniques to demonstrate the feasibility of isolating fetal cells from maternal blood.

Experimental conditions: blood from consenting maternal donors carrying male fetuses was collected into K₂EDTA vacutainers (366643, Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, N.J.) immediately following elective termination of pregnancy. The undiluted blood was processed using the device described in Example 1 at room temperature and within 9 hrs of draw. Nucleated cells from the blood were separated from enucleated cells (red blood cells and platelets), and plasma delivered into a buffer stream of calcium and magnesium-free Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline (14190-144, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) containing 1% Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) (A8412-100ML, Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, Mo.). Subsequently, the nucleated cell fraction was labeled with anti-CD71 microbeads (130-046-201, Miltenyi Biotech Inc., Auburn, Calif.) and enriched using the MiniMACS™ MS column (130-042-201, Miltenyi Biotech Inc., Auburn, Calif.) according to the manufacturer's specifications. Finally, the CD71-positive fraction was spotted onto glass slides.

Measurement techniques: Spotted slides were stained using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques according to the manufacturer's specifications using Vysis probes (Abbott Laboratories, Downer's Grove, Ill.). Samples were stained from the presence of X and Y chromosomes. In one case, a sample prepared from a known Trisomy 21 pregnancy was also stained for chromosome 21.

Performance: Isolation of fetal cells was confirmed by the reliable presence of male cells in the CD71-positive population prepared from the nucleated cell fractions (FIG. 47). In the single abnormal case tested, the trisomy 21 pathology was also identified (FIG. 48).

The following examples show specific embodiments of devices of the invention. The description for each device provides the number of stages in series, the gap size for each stage, ε (Flow Angle), and the number of channels per device (Arrays/Chip). Each device was fabricated out of silicon using DRIE, and each device had a thermal oxide layer.

Example 5

This device includes five stages in a single array.

Array Design: 5 stage, asymmetric array

Gap Sizes:

-   -   Stage 1: 8 μm     -   Stage 2: 10 μm     -   Stage 3: 12 μm     -   Stage 4: 14 μm     -   Stage 5: 16 μm         Flow Angle: 1/10         Arrays/Chip: 1

Example 6

This device includes three stages, where each stage is a duplex having a bypass channel. The height of the device was 125 μm.

Array Design: Symmetric 3 stage array with central collection channel

Gap Sizes:

-   -   Stage 1: 8 μm     -   Stage 2: 12 μm     -   Stage 3: 18 μm     -   Stage 4:     -   Stage 5:         Flow Angle: 1/10         Arrays/Chip: 1         Other: Central collection channel

FIG. 49A shows the mask employed to fabricate the device. FIGS. 49B-49D are enlargements of the portions of the mask that define the inlet, array, and outlet. FIGS. 50A-50G show SEMs of the actual device.

Example 7

This device includes three stages, where each stage is a duplex having a bypass channel. “Fins” were designed to flank the bypass channel to keep fluid from the bypass channel from re-entering the array. The chip also included on-chip flow resistors, i.e., the inlets and outlets possessed greater fluidic resistance than the array. The height of the device was 117 μm.

Array Design: 3 stage symmetric array

Gap Sizes:

-   -   Stage 1: 8 μm     -   Stage 2: 12 μm     -   Stage 3: 18 μm     -   Stage 4:     -   Stage 5:         Flow Angle: 1/10         Arrays/Chip: 10         Other: Large fin central collection channel on-chip flow         resistors

FIG. 51A shows the mask employed to fabricate the device. FIGS. 51B-51D are enlargements of the portions of the mask that define the inlet, array, and outlet. FIGS. 52A-52F show SEMs of the actual device.

Example 8

This device includes three stages, where each stage is a duplex having a bypass channel. “Fins” were designed to flank the bypass channel to keep fluid from the bypass channel from re-entering the array. The edge of the fin closest to the array was designed to mimic the shape of the array. The chip also included on-chip flow resistors, i.e., the inlets and outlets possessed greater fluidic resistance than the array. The height of the device was 138 μm.

Array Design: 3 stage symmetric array

Gap Sizes:

-   -   Stage 1: 8 μm     -   Stage 2: 12 μm     -   Stage 3: 18 μm     -   Stage 4:     -   Stage 5:         Flow Angle: 1/10         Arrays/Chip: 10         Other: Alternate large fin central collection channel on-chip         flow resistors

FIG. 45A shows the mask employed to fabricate the device. FIGS. 45B-45D are enlargements of the portions of the mask that define the inlet, array, and outlet. FIGS. 532A-532F show SEMs of the actual device.

Example 9

This device includes three stages, where each stage is a duplex having a bypass channel. “Fins” were optimized using Femlab to flank the bypass channel to keep fluid from the bypass channel from re-entering the array. The edge of the fin closest to the array was designed to mimic the shape of the array. The chip also included on-chip flow resistors, i.e., the inlets and outlets possessed greater fluidic resistance than the array. The height of the device was 139 or 142 μm.

Array Design: 3 stage symmetric array

Gap Sizes:

-   -   Stage 1: 8 μm     -   Stage 2: 12 μm     -   Stage 3: 18 μm     -   Stage 4:     -   Stage 5:         Flow Angle: 1/10         Arrays/Chip: 10         Other: Femlab optimized central collection channel (Femlab 1)         on-chip flow resistors

FIG. 54A shows the mask employed to fabricate the device. FIGS. 54B-54D are enlargements of the portions of the mask that define the inlet, array, and outlet. FIGS. 55A-55S show SEMs of the actual device.

Example 10

This device includes a single stage, duplex device having a bypass channel disposed to receive output from the ends of both arrays. The obstacles in this device are elliptical. The array boundary was modeled in Femlab. The chip also included on-chip flow resistors, i.e., the inlets and outlets possessed greater fluidic resistance than the array. The height of the device was 152 μm.

Array Design: Single stage symmetric array

Gap Sizes:

-   -   Stage 1: 24 μm     -   Stage 2:     -   Stage 3:     -   Stage 4:     -   Stage 5:         Flow Angle: 1/60         Arrays/Chip: 14         Other:     -   Central barrier     -   Ellipsoid posts     -   On-chip resistors     -   Femlab modeled array boundary

FIG. 44A shows the mask employed to fabricate the device. FIGS. 44B-44D are enlargements of the portions of the mask that define the inlet, array, and outlet. FIGS. 56A-56C show SEMs of the actual device.

Example 11

Though the following examples focus on extraction of a purified population of nuclei of circulating fetal cells from whole maternal blood, the methods described are generic for isolation of cellular components from other cells.

Isolation of Fetal Nuclei

FIG. 57 shows a flowchart for a method of isolating fetal nuclei from a maternal blood sample. The method results in the preferential lysis of red blood cells (FIG. 58).

Several embodiments of a method that isolates from whole blood a purified population of nuclei from circulating cells of interest for genomic analysis are described below:

a) The method includes microfluidic processing, as described herein, of whole blood to 1) generate an enriched sample of nucleated cells by depletion of 1 to 3 log of the number of enucleated red blood cells and platelets, 2) release fetal nuclei by microfluidic processing of the enriched nucleated sample to lyse residual enucleated red cells, enucleated reticulocytes, and nucleated erythrocytes, preferentially over nucleated maternal white blood cells, 3) separate nuclei from maternal nucleated white blood cells by microfluidic processing through a size based device, and 4) analyze fetal genome using commercially available gene analysis tools.

b) The method can be designed to allow Steps 1 and 2 of Embodiment 1 in one pass through a microfluidic device, followed by use of a downstream device, or component of a larger device, for Step 3 (see FIGS. 59 & 60). FIG. 59 shows a schematic diagram of a microfluidic device for producing concomitant enrichment and lysis. The device employs two regions of obstacles that deflect larger cells from the edges of the device, where the sample is introduced, into a central channel containing a lysis solution (e.g., a duplex device as described herein). For maternal blood, the regions of obstacles are disposed such that maternal enucleated red blood cells and platelets remain at the edges of the device, while fetal nucleated red blood cells and other nucleated cells are deflected into a central channel. Once deflected into the central channel, the fetal red blood cells (cells of interest) are lysed. FIG. 60 shows a schematic diagram for a microfluidic device for separating nuclei (cellular component of interest) from unlysed cells. The device is similar to that of FIG. 59, except the obstacles are disposed such that nuclei remain at the edges of the device, while larger particles are deflected to the central channel.

c) A combination method of microfluidic based generation of fetal nuclei in maternal blood sample, followed by bulk processing techniques, such as density gradient centrifugation to separate the fetal nuclei from maternal cells (see FIG. 61).

d) Methods and Proof of Principle

Selective Lysis and Partitioning of Nucleated Erythrocytes. Contaminating red blood cells in donor blood samples spiked with full term cord blood were lysed using two methods, hypotonic and ammonium chloride lysis. Since enucleated red cells undergo lysis in hypotonic solution faster than nucleated cells, controlling the exposure time of the mixed cell population in the hypotonic solution will result in a differential lysis of cell populations based on this time. In this method, the cells are sedimented to form a pellet, and the plasma above the pellet is aspirated. Deionized water is then added, and the pellet is mixed with the water. Fifteen seconds of exposure is sufficient to lyse >95% of the enucleated red blood cells with minimal nucleated red blood cell lysis, 15 to 30 seconds of exposure is sufficient to lyse >70% of the nucleated red blood cells but <15% of other nucleated cells, and >30 seconds will increase the percentage of lysis of other nucleated cells. After the desired exposure time, a 10×HBSS (hypertonic balanced salt) solution is added to return the solution back to isotonic conditions. Exposure to ammonium chloride lysing solutions at standard concentrations (e.g., 0.15 M isotonic solution) will lyse the bulk of red blood cells with minimal effects on nucleated cells. When the osmolality of the lysing solution is decreased to create a hypotonic ammonium chloride solution, the bulk of nucleated red blood cells are lysed along with the mature red blood cells.

Density centrifugation methods were used to obtain an enriched population of lymphocytes. An aliquot of these lymphocytes were exposed to a hypotonic ammonium chloride solution for sufficient time to lyse >95% of the cells. These nuclei were then labeled with Hoechst 33342 (bisbenzimide H 33342), a specific stain for AT rich regions of double stranded DNA, and added back to the original lymphocyte population to create a 90:10 (cell: nuclei) mixture. This mixture was fed into a device that separated cells from nuclei based on size, as depicted in FIG. 60, and the waste and product fractions were collected and the cell:nuclei ratio contained in each fraction were measured.

Density Gradient Centrifugation of Lysed Product. The lysed nuclei of mixed cell suspensions that have been processed through a differential lysis procedure can be enriched by adding a sucrose cushion solution to the lysate. This mixture is then layered on a pure sucrose cushion solution and then centrifuged to form an enriched nuclei pellet. The unlysed cells and debris are aspirated from the supernatant; the nuclei pellet is re-suspended in a buffer solution and then cytospun onto glass slides.

Acid Alcohol Total Cell lysis and Nuclear RNA FISH for Targeted Cell Identification. Product obtained from a device that separated cells based on size, as depicted in FIG. 60, was exposed to an acid alcohol solution (methanol:acetic acid 3:1 v/v) for 30 minutes on ice resulting in the lysis of >99% of enucleated cells and >99.0% lysis of nucleated cells. A hypotonic treatment by exposing the cells to salt solution (0.6% NaCl) for 30 minutes to swell the nuclei before acid alcohol lysis can also be included. The released nuclei can be quantitatively deposited on to a glass slide by cytospin and FISHed (FIGS. 66 a and 66 b). The cells of interest, such as fetal nucleated erythrocytes, can be identified using RNA-FISH with probes for positive selection, such as zeta-, epsilon, gamma-globins, and negative selection such as beta-globin or analyzing the length of telomeres. Other methods for distinguishing between fetal and non-fetal cells are known in the art, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,843.

Example 12

FIG. 62 shows a device that is optimized for separation of particles in blood. It is a one-stage device with a fixed gap width of 22 μm, with 48 multiplexed arrays for parallel sample processing. The parameters of the device are as follows:

Array Design: L5 Gap Sizes: Stage 1: 22 μm Flow Angle: 1/50 Arrays/Chip: 48 Nominal Depth 150 μm Device Footprint 32 mm × 64 mm Design Features Multiplexed single arrays Optimized bypass channels Flow stabilization Flow-feeding and Flow- extracting boundaries

Blood was obtained from pregnant volunteer donors and diluted 1:1 with Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (without calcium and magnesium) (iDPBS). Blood and Running Buffer (iDPBS with 1% BSA and 2 mM EDTA) were delivered using an active pressure of 0.8 PSI to the device engaged with a manifold as described in Example 13. Blood was separated into two components nucleated cells in Running Buffer and enucleated cells and plasma proteins in Running Buffer. Both components were analyzed using a standard impedance counter. The component containing nucleated cells was additionally characterized using a propidium iodide staining solution in conjunction with a standard Nageotte counting chamber to determine total nucleated cell loss. Data collected were used to determine blood process volume (mL), blood process rate (mL/hr), RBC/platelet removal, and nucleated cell retention. The following table provides results of cell enrichments employing this device:

Volume 26.5 8  15.4 17   19   Processed (mL) Throughput 10.6 10.0 11.8 9.8 9.8 (mL/h) WBC in the 0.013% 0.012% 0.005% 0.014% 0.030% waste/input WBC (Nageotte) RBC 99.993%  99.992%  99.997%  99.995%  99.999%  Removal Platelet >99.6% >99.7% >99.7% >99.7% >99.7% Removal

Example 13

An exemplary manifold into which a microfluidic device of the invention is inserted is shown in FIG. 63. The manifold has two halves between which a microfluidic device of the invention is disposed. One half of the manifold includes separate inlets for blood and buffer, each of which is connected to a corresponding fluid reservoir. The channels in the device are oriented so that they connect to the reservoirs via through holes in the device. Typically, the device is oriented vertically, and the processed blood is collected as it drips out of the product outlet. A region around the product outlet of the microfluidic device may also be marked with a hydrophobic substance, e.g., from a permanent marker, to limit the size of drops formed. The device also includes two hydrophobic vent filters, e.g., 0.2 μm PTFE filters. These filters allow air trapped in the device to be displaced by aqueous solutions, but do not let the liquid pass at low pressures, e.g., <5 psi.

To prime the device, buffer, e.g., Dulbecco's PBS with 1% bovine serum albumin (w/v) and 2 mM EDTA, is degassed for 5-10 min under reduced pressure and while being stirred. The buffer is then pumped into the device via the buffer inlet in the manifold at a pressure of <5 psi. The buffer then fills the buffer chamber by displacing air through the hydrophobic vent filter and then fills the channels in the microfluidic device and the blood chamber. A hydrophobic vent filter connected to the blood chamber allows for the displacement of air in the chamber. Once the blood chamber is filled, buffer is pumped into the blood inlet. In certain embodiments, after 1 minute of priming at 1 psi, the blood inlet is clamped, and the pressure is increased to 3 psi for 3 minutes.

Example 14

A fetal nRBC population enriched by any of the devices described herein is subjected to hypotonic shock by adding a large volume of low ionic strength buffer, e.g., deionized water to lyse enucleated RBCs and nRBCs selectively and release their nuclei. The hypotonic shock is then terminated by adding an equal volume of a high ionic strength buffer. The released nuclei, which may be subsequently harvested through gradient centrifugation such as passage through a solution of iodixanol in water, ρ=1.32 g/mL, are analyzed.

FIG. 64 illustrates the selective lysis of fetal nRBCs vs. maternal nRBCs as a function of the duration of exposure to lysing conditions. This selective lysis procedure also can be used to lyse selectively fetal nRBCs in a population of cells composed of fetal nRBC, maternal nRBC, enucleated fetal and maternal RBCs, and fetal and maternal white blood cells. Using distilled water to induce hypotonic shock for a given time period and then adding an equal volume of 10× salt solution, such as PBS, to halt it, fetal nRBCs and maternal nRBCs were lysed over time during which the number of lysed (non-viable) fetal nRBCs increased by a factor of 10, whereas the number of lysed maternal nRBCs increased by a smaller multiple. At any given time point, the lysed cells were stained with propidium iodide and were concentrated through gradient centrifugation to determine the ratio of lysed fetal nRBCs vs. maternal nRBCs. An optimized time duration can be determined and applied to enrich selectively for fetal nRBCs nuclei.

Example 15

To lyse enucleated RBCs and maternal nucleated RBCs selectively, a sample enriched in fetal nRBCs is treated with a RBC lysis buffer, such as 0.155 M NH₄Cl, 0.01 M KHCO₃, 2 mM EDTA, 1% BSA with a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, such as acetazolamide (e.g., at 0.1-100 mM), to induce lysis, followed by termination of the lysis process using a large volume of balanced salt buffer, such as 10× volume of 1×PBS, or balanced salt buffer, such as 1×PBS, with an ion exchange channel inhibitor such as 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid (DIDS). The surviving fetal cells may then be subjected to additional rounds of selection and analysis.

K562 cells, to simulate white blood cells, were labeled with Hoechst and calcein AM at room temperature for 30 minutes (FIG. 65). These labeled K562 cells were added to blood specimens, followed by the addition of buffer (0.155 M NH₄Cl, 0.01 M KHCO₃, 2 mM EDTA, 1% BSA, and 10 mM acetazolamide) (the ratio of buffer volume to spiked blood volume is 3:2). The spiked blood specimens were incubated at room temperature for 4 hours with periodic gentle agitation. The fraction of viable cells in each spiked specimen were determined by measuring the green fluorescence at 610 nm at multiple time-points. Cell lysis is observed only after three minutes of treatment (in the absence of DIDS).

Example 16

A sample enriched in fetal nRBC, e.g., by any of the devices or methods discussed herein, may be lysed and analyzed for genetic content. Possible methods of cell lysis and isolation of the desired cells or cell components include:

-   -   a) A sample enriched in fetal nRBC may be subjected to total         cell lysis to remove cytoplasm and isolate the nuclei. Nuclei         may be immobilized through treatment with fixing solution, such         as Carnoy's fix, and adhesion to glass slides. The fetal nuclei         may be identified by the presence of endogenous fetal targets         through immunostaining for nuclear proteins and transcription         factors or through differential hybridization, RNA FISH of fetal         pre-mRNAs (Gribnau et al. Mol Cell 2000. 377-86; Osborne et al.         Nat. Gene. 2004. 1065-71; Wang et al. Proc. Natl. Acad.         Sci. 1991. 7391-7395; Alfonso-Pizarro et al. Nucleic Acids         Research. 1984. 8363-8380.) These endogenous fetal targets may         include globins such as zeta-, epsilon-, gamma-, delta-, beta-,         alpha- and non-globin targets such as I-branching enzyme (Yu et         al., Blood. 2003 101:2081), N-acetylglucosamine transferase, or         IgnT. The oligo nucleotide probes employed by RNA FISH may be         either for intron-exon boundaries or other regions, which         uniquely identify the desired target or by analyzing the length         of telomeres.     -   b) A sample enriched in fetal nRBC may be lysed selectively         using treatments with buffers and ion exchange inhibitors         described in example 15 to isolate fetal cells. The surviving         fetal cells may be further subjected to selection by the         presence or absence of intracellular markers such as globins and         I-branching beta 1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase or surface         markers such as antigen I. In another embodiment, the enriched         fetal nRBCs can be subjected to selective lysis to remove both         the enucleated RBCs and maternal nRBCs as described in Example         15, followed by a complement mediated cell lysis using an         antibody against CD45, a surface antigen present in all         nucleated white blood cells. The resulting intact fetal nRBCs         should be free of any other contaminating cells.     -   c) A sample enriched in fetal nRBC may be lysed through         hypotonic shock as described in Example 14 to isolate fetal         nuclei. Nuclei may be immobilized through treatment with fixing         solution, such as Carnoy's fix, and adhesion to glass slides.

Once isolated, the desired cells or cell components (such as nuclei) may be analyzed for genetic content. FISH may be used to identify defects in chromosomes 13 and 18 or other chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy 21 or XXY. Chromosomal aneuploidies may also be detected using methods such as comparative genome hybridization. Furthermore, the identified fetal cells may be examined using micro-dissection. Upon extraction, the fetal cells' nucleic acids may be subjected to one or more rounds of PCR or whole genome amplification followed by comparative genome hybridization, or short tandem repeats (STR) analysis, genetic mutation analysis such as single nucleotide point mutations (SNP), deletions, or translocations.

Example 17

The product obtained from a device as depicted in FIG. 60 including 3 ml of erythrocytes in 1×PBS is treated with 50 mM sodium nitrite/0.1 mM acetazolamide for 10 minutes. The cells are then contacted with a lysis buffer of 0.155 M NH₄Cl, 0.01 M KHCO₃, 2 mM EDTA, 1% BSA and 0.1 mM acetazolamide, and the lysis reaction is stopped by directly dripping into a quenching solution containing BAND 3 ion exchanger channel inhibitors such as 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid (DIDS). The enucleated RBCs and nucleated RBCs are counted after Wright-Giemsa staining, and FISH is used to count the fetal nRBCs. Values are then compared to an unlysed control. One such experimental result is shown below:

Before After Cell Lysis Lysis Recovery % eRBCs 2.6 × 10⁶ 0.03 × 10⁶ ~1% nRBCs 42 26 62% fnRBCs  6  4 68%

Example 18

Chaotropic Salt or Detergent Mediated Total Lysis and Oligo-Nucleotide Mediated Enrichment of Apoptotic DNA from Fetal Nucleated RBCs. The product obtained from a device as depicted in FIG. 60 is lysed in a chaotropic salt solution, such as buffered guanidinium hydrochloride solution (at least 4.0 M), guanidinium thiocyanate (at least 4.0 M) or a buffered detergent solution such as tris buffered solution with SDS. The cell lysate is then incubated at 55° C. for 20 minutes with 10 μl of 50 mg/ml protease K to remove proteins and followed by a 5 minutes at 95° C. to inactive protease. The fetal nRBCs undergo apoptosis when entering maternal blood circulation, and this apoptotic process leads to DNA fragmentation of fetal nRBC DNA. By taking advantage of reduced size of fetal nRBCs DNA and higher efficiency of isolating smaller DNA fragments over intact genomic DNA using oligonucleotide mediated enrichment, the apoptotic fetal nRBCs DNA can be selectively enriched through hybridization to oligonucleotides in solution, attached to beads, or bound to an array or other surface in order to identify the unique molecular markers such as short tandem repeats (STR). After hybridization, the unwanted nucleic acids or other contaminants may be washed away with a high salt buffered solution, such as 150 mM sodium chloride in 10 mM Tris HCL pH 7.5, and the captured targets then released into a buffered solution, such as 10 mM Tris pH 7.8, or distilled water. The apoptotic DNA thus enriched is then analyzed using the methods for analysis of genetic content, e.g., as described in Example 16.

Example 19

FIG. 67 shows a flowchart detailing variations on lysis procedures that may be performed on maternal blood samples. Although illustrated as beginning with Enriched Product, e.g., produced using the devices and methods described herein, the processes may be performed on any maternal blood sample. The chart illustrates that lysis may be employed to lyse (i) wanted cells (e.g., fetal cells) selectively, (ii) wanted cells and their nuclei selectively, (iii) all cells, (iv) all cells and their nuclei, (v) unwanted cells (e.g., maternal RBCs, WBCs, platelets, or a combination thereof), (vi) unwanted cells and their nuclei, and (vii) lysis of all cells and selective lysis of nuclei of unwanted cells. The chart also shows exemplary methods for isolating released nuclei (devices and methods of the invention may also be sued for this purpose) and methods for assaying the results.

Example 20

This is an example of titrating whole cell lysis within a microfluidic environment. A blood sample enriched using size based separation as described herein was divided into 4 equal volumes. Three of the volumes were processed through a microfluidic device capable of transporting the cells into a first pre-defined medium for a defined path length within the device and then into a second pre-defined medium for collection. The volumetric cell suspension flow rate was varied to allow controlled incubation times with the first pre-defined medium along the defined path length before contacting the second pre-defined medium. In this example DI water was used as the first pre-defined medium and 2×PBS was used as the second predefined medium. Flow rates were adjusted to allow incubation times of 10, 20, or 30 seconds in DI water before the cells were mixed with 2×PBS to create an isotonic solution. Total cell numbers of the 3 processed volumes and the remaining unprocessed volume were calculated using a Hemacytometer

Starting Cell Final Cell % Sample Count Count Remaining 1 unprocessed 6.6 × 10⁶ 6.6 × 10⁶ 100%  2 10 second 6.6 × 10⁶ 7.2 × 10⁵ 10.9%  exposure 3 20 second 6.6 × 10⁶ 4.6 × 10⁵ 6.9% exposure 4 30 second 6.6 × 10⁶ 3.4 × 10⁵ 5.2% exposure

Other Embodiments

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in the above specification are hereby incorporated by reference. Various modifications and variations of the described method and system of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention that are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

Other embodiments are in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for transferring particles from a first fluid to a second fluid, wherein said second fluid is different from said first fluid, the method comprising: (a) applying a first fluid comprising particles to a first channel of a device, wherein said device comprises at least two channels; (b) flowing said first fluid through said first channel in said device wherein said first channel comprises at least one array of obstacles that, in response to the flow of said first fluid, laterally displaces said particles within said array towards a second channel, wherein each of said arrays comprises a plurality of rows of obstacles wherein each row comprises a plurality of obstacles and is shifted laterally with respect to a previous row by a distance smaller than a distance between obstacles in said previous row, wherein said distance between obstacles in a row is the same in all rows in a given array, and wherein said lateral shift of rows and said distance cause each of said arrays to direct particles having a hydrodynamic size above a critical size and below said distance between obstacles into the array and in a direction towards said second channel; (c) flowing said second fluid through said second channel in said device and flowing particles laterally displaced in step (b) through said second channel, wherein said second channel is arranged along at least a portion of said at least one array of obstacles in said first channel; and (d) continuing the flow of particles in step (c) until said particles exit said second channel in said second fluid.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said particles are cells.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said cells are lysed, stained or labeled in either said first channel or said second channel.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said cells are fluorescently labeled.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said particles are contacted in said first channel, said second channel, or in both said channels, with a reagent that chemically or physically alters the particles.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein particles exiting said second channel in step (d) enter a third channel comprising a third fluid, wherein said third fluid is different from said second fluid.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said device comprises at least one bypass channel that is devoid of obstacles that laterally displace said particles.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said particles are laterally displaced into a channel in which said particles react with a reagent and the reacted particles are then moved into a separate channel to remove unreacted reagent or reaction byproducts.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein reagents are added to said particles to increase the hydrodynamic size of said particles.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said first channel comprises at least two arrays of obstacles, and wherein said critical size of the first array is larger than a critical size of the second array.
 11. A method for transferring cells from a blood sample to a second fluid, wherein said second fluid is different from said blood sample, the method comprising: (a) applying a blood sample comprising cells to a device, wherein said device comprises at least two channels; (b) flowing said blood sample through a first channel in said device wherein said first channel comprises at least one array of obstacles that, in response to the flow of said blood sample, laterally displaces said cells within said array towards a second channel, wherein each of said arrays comprises a plurality of rows of obstacles wherein each row comprises a plurality of obstacles and is shifted laterally with respect to a previous row by a distance smaller than a distance between obstacles in said previous row, wherein said distance between obstacles is the same in all rows in a given array, and wherein said lateral shift of rows and said distance cause each of said arrays is configured to direct particles having a hydrodynamic size above a critical size and below said distance between obstacles into the array and in a direction towards said second channel; (c) flowing said second fluid through said second channel in said device and flowing the cells laterally displaced in step (b) through said second channel, wherein said second channel is arranged along at least a portion of said at least one array of obstacles in said first channel; and (d) continuing the flow of cells in step (c) until said cells exit said second channel in said second fluid.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said at least one array of obstacles is configured to separate red blood cells from other cells.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said other cells are contacted in said first channel, in said second channel, or in both said channels with a reagent that chemically or physically alters the cells.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said other cells are lysed, stained or labeled in either said first channel or said second channel.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said other cells are fluorescently labeled.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein said array of obstacles is configured to separate white blood cells from red blood cells and platelets in the blood.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said white blood cells are contacted in said first channel, and/or in said second channel, or in both said channels with a reagent that chemically or physically alters the cells.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein said cells from said blood sample are laterally displaced into a channel in which said cells react with a reagent and the reacted cells are then moved into a separate channel to remove unreacted reagent or reaction byproducts.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein reagents are added to said cells to increase the hydrodynamic size of said cells. 